I just wanted to check in. I went to my doc in february, and my HGA1c levels are now at 6.1. Last January (2011) they were at 11.2 (they are supposed to be between 6.0 and 9.0)! I've lost 9 pounds since the beginning of the year, and I've come off my insulin shots. I'm hoping that if I continue to do well, that I'll come off my two meds as well. I go back to my doc in June, so we'll see! Keep on keeping on!!

good luck to all of you on your continuing challenge. Two days this week I didn't know how to calculate my nutrition for dinner due to 1. eating at a friends house and 2. eating out. I have upped my exercise to four days a week and am now doing zumba at Curves one day a week. It is fun. I need to keep my focus on my main goal To be active and fit. I cannot let a setback or the scale dictate to me how I am doing. Without excuses and justifying my behavior I am working on just getting back in the game. I am feeling stronger and more energized. Should I quit, I would lose all that I have gained. Putting one foot in front of the other I move onward toward my goal.

I use the message boards and love it. I have used the same thread since it began 2 years and 1 month ago. People come and people go but being here has been a great success for me. I began on Spark after a diagnosis of Diabetes type 2. I knew almost NOTHING ABOUT COMPUTERS-Still know too little but I always know where to go for help from my Spark Friends. They know me so well they follow my motto. KEEP IT SIMPLE. And NO, I am definitely NOT stupid.

I started with Diabetes Medications and this site about the same time. I have been off medications for over a year. My Diabetes Test the A1c was 8.8 when I was diagnosed Diabetic Type 2 and last week my test was A1c 5.5 That I was told is NORMAL A1c for people who do not have diabetes. WooHoo! I will always have it but I have learned with Spark articles and other diabetics on this site, how to best control it. Thank you Spark!. Had I not found that Orange book this would not be my future.

I had High Blood Pressure !. Same thing. After being on B.P. medications for years, enduring leg cramps as side effects I have been off that medication too for almost a year. No more meds and NO MORE LEG CRAMPS.

I still have high triglycerides they are almost there I am taking a medication for this and hope to give that up soon.It is definitely lower and that is the only issue in my lipid profile.

HDL is HIGHER that's the good stuff. LDL is much lower that's the bad stuff.

I exercise daily. I USE MY NUTRITION TRACKER ALWAYS and my life is good. My sleep has never been better. I sleep all night and wake up raring to go. I only nap if I am sick or on long journeys.

Bottom linei s I am 68 years YOUNG living in Maine.

I hope all of our friends are back with us for another successful MONTH on the message boards.

PERSISTENCE IS MY KEY TO GETTING IT DONE! NO MATTER WHAT! I AM MY OWN PRIORITY AND I AM WORTH THE TIME AND EFFORT I AM ABLE TO PUT IN TO THIS. DH AND I KNOW I AM WORTH IT. FROM PAT the Walker

Pat in Maine. I FEEL Healthier every day with my Spark Tracker. I will do it slowly I like it that way. Toodle-ooo! and Toodle- Pip! JUST DO IT!

Be mindful that happiness isn't based on possessions, power, or prestige, but on relationships with people we love and respect.

I received an email today from SparkPeople Diabetes team to check in on how I was doing. It has been one month since I completed the 8 week challenge. It was nice to receive that email. I think it is important to have as much support and accountability as you can.

So, I went to the Dr last week and my A1C is now 6. Yep, just plain ole' 6. He said it was probably even lower since it represents an average. That is down from 12.3 last Aug.

I am continually tracking my food, not everyday but definitely if there is any question in how I am doing. I range 1200-1500 calories per day. I exercise daily, even if it's only to walk the dog.

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